News

Barry McCarty
The stranger among us is a wonderful friend of Southern Baptists
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 26, 2010

If a connoisseur of church architecture launched out in search of the most beautiful worship facility in Georgia he/she just might want to include Peachtree Christian Church in Midtown Atlanta as one of the churches on a must-see list.

Not ready to rock
At an age when many settle for a chair on a porch, this senior is
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published August 26, 2010

Finishing up her Master of Divinity degree at New Orleans Seminary in 1996, Margaret Burks admits the toughest class her final semester had nothing to do with theology or ministry methodology, but athletics.

Johnny Hunt, wife extend leave of absence
By Joe Westbury, Managing Editor
Published August 26, 2010

Johnny Hunt, pastor of First Baptist Church in Woodstock and immediate past president of the Southern Baptist Convention, has extended his leave of absence from the church through mid-September, citing physical and emotional exhaustion.

Thefts occur at three Turner County churches on same Sunday
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published August 26, 2010

Several members of High Hill Baptist Church heard the heavy popping of a car's muffler at about a quarter 'til noon on June 27. Still, they thought nothing of it. After all, this was an area where people still routinely leave doors to cars and churches unlocked.

Baptist collegians disperse worldwide for the summer
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published August 26, 2010

Time off from school didn't meant time off from work for Georgia Baptist college students this summer.

A lead-up to the World Cup
Published August 26, 2010

Sophomore Morgan Springer, a pre-med major at Georgia Southern University, may have been in his perfect, oh-God-please-let-me-serve-here-someday location.

Former BPC student serves in medical mission to Belize
By By Kelley Arnold, BPC director of news/public information
Published August 26, 2010

Leaf-cutting ants, a jaguar skull, tarantulas, oh my!

College students from around the state go to Haiti
Published August 26, 2010

Several teams of students from Baptist Collegiate Ministries around the state took part in evangelism opportunities in Haiti's capital city months after the devastating earthquake there.

Land: Ground Zero mosque too close for comfort
Published August 26, 2010

When it comes to religious freedom, people of the Muslim faith have the right to build mosques in America that are convenient to their communities under local standards, Richard Land told Warren Olney, host of Public Radio International's "To the Point" radio broadcast Aug. 11.

Fight over N.Y. mosque becomes a partisan wedge issue
By Adelle M. Banks, c. 2010 Religion News Service
Published August 26, 2010

What started as a local zoning debate about an Islamic center near Ground Zero, and then morphed into a fight over religious expression, has now turned into an election-year political brawl.

Ministry more than numbers for African logistics team
By Don Graham
Published August 26, 2010

Sweat rolls down Todd Riddle's* bald head as he thumbs through the mountain of cash heaped on his dining room table. Wrapped in cheap, plastic bags, the money is being prepped for a transfer at a crumbling airstrip in the middle of nowhere in North Africa.

Ten aid workers killed in Afghanistan
By Staff
Published August 26, 2010

Ten workers affiliated with a Christian aid group were murdered in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan after providing eye care to people in a remote area of the country.

Crowd greets back-to-school effort at First Mableton
By Scott Barkley, Production Editor
Published August 26, 2010

A crush of more than 500 people descended upon First Baptist Church here July 18 for back-to-school supplies as well as services such as dental and eye exams.

Ministers urged to rest
Published August 26, 2010

Research indicates that members of the clergy now suffer from obesity, hypertension, and depression at higher rates than most Americans, according to The New York Times.

Nationally-known Bible teacher John Phillips dies
Published August 26, 2010

John Phillips, author and Bible study leader, died July 25 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was 83.

Kristi Jansenn becomes a double winner at Sturgis Bike Rally
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 26, 2010

The tents have been folded, the streets have been swept, and the last rites have been pronounced for the 2010 Sturgis, S.D. motorbike rally - the largest event of its kind in the nation.

Baptist News Summary

Baptist volunteers die in separate car accidents
Published August 26, 2010

Recent separate car accidents claimed the lives of Baptists serving overseas.

Bush to speak at University of Mobile
Published August 26, 2010

Former President George W. Bush will be the keynote speaker at the sixth annual University of Mobile Leadership Banquet Oct. 7.

'Great Expectations' Sunday School initiative viewed by 10,000-plus
Published August 26, 2010

Great Expectations - an online Sunday School training event broadcast during Sunday School Week at LifeWay Ridgecrest Conference Center - drew an estimated viewership of 10,000-12,000 people around the world, according to Bruce Raley, LifeWay's director of leadership and evangelism training and events, who co-hosted the event sponsored by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Rain doesn't dampen spirit of benefit for Gulf residents
Published August 26, 2010

Worship at The Wharf was rained out of its venue but not out of its spirit.

Hannibal-LaGrange College seeks university status from messengers
Published August 26, 2010

Hannibal-LaGrange College (HLG) will be known as the University of Hannibal if messengers to the Missouri Baptist Convention annual meeting this fall approve the measure.

Officially, SBC registration 26 percent above 2009
Published August 26, 2010

SBC registration secretary Jim Wells has released official registration figures for the 2010 Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in Orlando, confirming earlier unofficial results showing a boost in registered messengers compared to 2009.

CP 3.08 percent behind 2009 pace
Published August 26, 2010

Year-to-date contributions through the Southern Baptist Convention's Cooperative Program are 3.08 percent below the same time frame last year, according to a news release from SBC Executive Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Morris H. Chapman.

People and Places

Obituaries
Published August 26, 2010

Events
Published August 26, 2010

Honors
Published August 26, 2010

Ordinations
Published August 26, 2010

Ministerial Moves
Published August 26, 2010

Cooperative Program Stories

First-person: The Cooperative Program works
By Stephen Wood, Pastor, River's Edge Baptist Church, Suwanee
Published August 26, 2010

From my earliest memories, giving in church has been a joy and not a burden.

Bible Study

Making Your Case
By David E. Owen, pastor, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Acworth
Published August 26, 2010

Acts 21:40–22:10; 1 Peter 3:15–17
Family Bible Study Lesson, Sep 5

The Case For God's Existence
By David E. Owen, pastor, Piney Grove Baptist Church, Acworth
Published August 26, 2010

Ps. 19:1-6; Acts 17:22-29; Heb. 1:1-2
Family Bible Study Lesson, Sep 12

Columns

A bold and blatant appeal
By J. Gerald Harris, Editor
Published August 26, 2010

The messengers of the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando adopted the Great Commission Task Force Recommendations by what was interpreted as a considerable margin. While most are rejoicing over that decision, others are anxious to see how the recommendations will be implemented and what the SBC will look like in the next decade.

Simplify family worship
By Donald S. Whitney
Published August 26, 2010

A man who is like a spiritual father to me began what he called a "family altar" with his wife before they were married, and has faithfully continued the practice through the arrival of children and grandchildren for more than 50 years.

The Open Door
By J. Robert White, Executive Director GBC
Published August 26, 2010

Every September Georgia Baptists receive a very important offering, our State Missions Offering.

Young adults can't succeed if living with mom and dad
By James Dobson
Published August 26, 2010